Suggests that when teachers read to students they enhance students' understanding and their inclination to read independently. Considers how teachers in intermediate grades can use read-alouds more strategically and deliberately to promote thoughtful reading and content learning. (SG)

This short guide, intended for parents, offers 10 suggestions from "Becoming a Nation of Readers," the Report of the National Commission on Reading, along with specific ideas to help children become better readers: (1) help children acquire a wide range of knowledge; (2) talk with children about their experiences; (3) encourage children…

This book is part of a series that helps parents choose books for their children and talk with them about books in ways that actively engage children with the meaning on the printed page. The introduction, "Getting Started," notes that it is important for parents to continue sharing books with their children at this age. The first chapter,…

Discusses the benefits of early childhood teachers reading to their students and examines techniques that teachers can employ in classroom reading. Notes that teachers should fit reading into the rhythm of the classroom day, select interesting materials, introduce the book, model good reading behaviors, and return to the book in later discussions…

This paper encourages teachers to read to older students with hearing impairments. Guidelines are offered for selecting appropriate books, planning and carrying out the reading activity, and developing follow-up activities to incorporate the reading into other aspects of the curriculum. A list of seven recommended books is included. (JDD)

This model responds to the need of many Massachusetts schools and teachers for specific guides to the required scope of core knowledge, to curriculum design, and to teaching resources. Each unit of study in the model is accompanied by a group of sample readings from children's literature, largely nonfiction selections. The model is not…

To a young child just learning to read, the world of books and stories is like a big playground waiting to be explored. Children between the ages of four and six usually start to recognize some words on a page. There are many things parents can do to help their children grow as readers. Parents can support their child's reading by being patient,…

At Bank Street College of Education, the Children's Book Committee annually reviews approximately 3,000 books to select the 600 or so considered the best books for children published that year. In selecting books, high priority is given to a book's appropriateness to a child's stage of emotional, social, and cognitive development. Since individual…

Optimal classroom read-aloud sessions result from teachers' planning and practice. Important considerations include choosing the right book, prereading, reading dramatically, and choosing authors who have written several books. Books that are sure to go over well include those that let the students get involved, stories that start discussions, and…

Noting that parent involvement in student schoolwork ranks high as a cause of academic success for most children, this book helps parents act as tutors in reading and writing for their first- and second-grade children. It offers both general guidelines and specific strategies and activities to use for accomplishing specific objectives, such as…

Providing young children with a better balance between narrative and expository text makes sense. Initially, children develop fluency through familiar narrative structures and themes. As the children achieve reading fluency, however, they benefit from increased exposure to expository text. Supporting this thrust are varied approaches and…

Parents are encouraged to read stories to their young hearing-impaired children because it encourages language development, motivates the child, promotes growth of reading skills, and provides positive personal interaction. Principles to guide parents in reading and discussing stories with hearing-impaired children are enumerated and book…

Acknowledging the problems with and the need for family communication, this booklet shows how increasing family reading can improve family communication and bring parent and child closer. It is not designed to teach a child how to read, but will show parents how to help their child become a better and more enthusiastic reader, by experiencing…

This book is part of a series that helps parents choose books for their children and talk with them about books in ways that actively engage children with the meaning on the printed page. The Introduction discusses children's natural development and how it affects their reading interests and behaviors. The first chapter, "Reading and Sharing…

Argues that making ethnic-specific literature integral to the literature program enhances a sense of community. Describes ways of exploring and reading ethnic-specific literature, and lists some titles for adults, young adults, and children. Offers criteria for selecting books, and suggests ways to create a community of readers using literature…